A devastating building collapse in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria, has resulted in the loss of eight lives and injured 26 others. The incident occurred on Old Ojo Road, near Alakija Bus Stop, off the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Satellite Town, on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The four-storey building collapse has raised concerns about the state of building regulation, professional supervision, and emergency response in Lagos.
Built-environment experts have attributed the collapse to poor construction practices and weak oversight, emphasizing the need for competent professionals, quality materials, and proper monitoring of buildings from construction through occupancy and maintenance. These experts gathered at a conference organised by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Amuwo-Odofin Cell, in Satellite Town, Lagos, to discuss ways of improving building safety and urban resilience in Lagos.
The conference, themed “Building a Resilient Lagos Through Synergy,” brought together regulators, officials from various Lagos State agencies, construction professionals, building artisans, developers, academics, and community representatives. The event served as a stakeholders’ meeting, enabling regulators to interact with construction professionals and discuss ways to improve building safety.
Chubike Okafor, Coordinator of the BCPG Amuwo-Odofin Cell, stated that the building collapse at Alakija was among the incidents that prompted the conference. He noted that the incident exposed weaknesses in emergency coordination and highlighted the need for better early-warning systems. Okafor urged residents, property owners, and community leaders to report signs of building distress to qualified professionals or relevant authorities.
Dr. Austin Otuoke, Chairman of the conference and an architect, emphasized that building safety could not be guaranteed by one profession or institution alone, particularly in a rapidly growing city like Lagos. He stressed that professionals and regulatory agencies must ensure that buildings were properly planned, approved, constructed, and maintained, with clear responsibility at every stage.
Pastor Joseph Akande, Chairman of Building Collapse Prevention Guild Lagos State Chapter, noted that the BCPG has been adopting a grassroots approach to addressing the challenges of building collapse. The organization has constituted itself into local BCPG Cells on a voluntary service basis, with built-environment professionals residing or working in each of the local government areas of the state.
The stakeholders' meeting concluded with a call for tougher enforcement of building regulations, regular inspections, and earlier action to prevent further tragedies. Key points from the conference include the need for competent professionals, quality materials, and proper monitoring of buildings, as well as better emergency coordination and early-warning systems.
Key points
- Eight persons died and 26 were rescued in the building collapse incident.
- Experts call for tougher enforcement of building regulations and regular inspections.
- The conference aimed to improve building safety and urban resilience in Lagos.
